Esophageal manometry

Esophageal manometry

Esophageal manometry: all about it

The esophageal manometry test assesses the pressure produced by the esophagus, the organ responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach.

In other words, the test assesses the size, propagation and speed of the waves that the esophagus produces during swallowing, which transport the food to the stomach.

In short, it is a test used basically to assess the functioning of the esophagus and the valve that lies between the stomach and the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter).

Esophageal manometry is considered one of the main diagnostic methods for esophageal motor disorders. It provides detailed and objective data that helps the doctor understand what is causing the gastrointestinal symptoms, avoiding inaccurate diagnoses or ineffective treatments.

The accuracy of this test means that it is requested in both clinical and surgical contexts, especially before procedures such as fundoplication or other anti-reflux surgeries.

Esophageal manometry may be indicated for patients with various symptoms, including:

These symptoms can have a drastic impact on the patient’s quality of life. The constant sensation that food “sticks” in the throat, chest pains with no apparent explanation or even frequent acid reflux are all signs that something isn’t working properly in the esophageal tract.

Esophageal manometry offers a concrete answer as to what is happening internally, often saving the patient months – or even years – of unsuccessful attempts at drug treatment.

If you feel that something isn’t right with your swallowing or suffer from frequent reflux, schedule your esophageal manometry and find out precisely what’s behind your symptoms.

Preparing for the procedure

Following these guidelines correctly is essential to guarantee accurate results. Improper preparation can interfere with esophageal pressure readings, leading to misinterpretations.

So talk to the medical team before the test and ask them any questions you may have. Careful preparation is the first step towards an effective diagnosis.

To ensure an accurate and smooth examination, follow all the preparation guidelines correctly. And if you have any questions, our team is ready to help you from the moment you first contact us.

Esophageal manometry: how is it done?

During the examination, the doctor uses a thin, flexible plastic probe with sensors at the end. After topical anesthesia of the nostril with 2% lidocaine, the probe is passed down the esophagus until it reaches the stomach.

The probe is then positioned and fixed in the nose. The doctor then asks the patient to swallow 5ml of water every 20 seconds.

The device’s sensors are able to assess the variations in pressure exerted by the wall of the esophagus and its sphincters. These variations are translated into graphs that allow medical evaluation of the functions of the esophagus.

The entire process is closely monitored by trained professionals, and the patient receives clear guidance at every stage. Esophageal manometry technology has evolved significantly in recent years, providing a faster, less uncomfortable and extremely effective test.

In less than an hour, it is possible to obtain data that will guide the treatment much more precisely.

The data obtained through esophageal manometry is used by various specialties and is fundamental for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal motor disorders.

It’s a simple test, lasting an average of 30 minutes, and once it’s completed the patient is released to eat and go about their normal routine, as it doesn’t use sedation.

Schedule your exam with experienced professionals, up-to-date technology and care in every detail. At Instituto Medicina em Foco, your well-being comes first.

Does esophageal manometry hurt?

Patients often ask whether esophageal manometry hurts. However, it’s worth noting that the device used is inserted through the nostril, which is anaesthetized, minimizing any sensation of pain or discomfort. Furthermore, during the examination, the patient can speak and breathe normally, experiencing at most slight discomfort.

Many patients report initial anxiety, but at the end of the examination they recognize that the experience was more peaceful than they had imagined. The discomfort is brief, and the relief of finally understanding what is happening to the esophagus is worth every second.

Esophageal manometry is, above all, a safe and tolerable test – even for those who are afraid of invasive exams.

Don’t let fear keep you away from diagnosis. Esophageal manometry is safe, fast and can change the way you deal with your digestive health.

Can I drive or work after esophageal manometry?

Yes, you can drive and resume your activities normally after esophageal manometry. The test does not use sedatives, which means that there are no cognitive or motor changes after it has been completed.

The patient may feel a slight discomfort in the nostril or throat in the first few hours, as if it were a minor irritation. However, this symptom is temporary and does not interfere with daily tasks.

Don’t let worries about the post-examination get in the way of your appointment. Esophageal manometry is safe, quick and you can carry on with your routine as normal after the procedure.

How to interpret the results of esophageal manometry?

The results of esophageal manometry should be interpreted by a doctor, preferably the specialist who ordered the test. The graphs obtained show the muscle contraction pattern of the esophagus and the functioning of the upper and lower sphincters.

The report can identify:

• Changes in the amplitude or coordination of contraction waves.
• Lower sphincter dysfunction (such as insufficient relaxation).
• Absence or excess of contractions.
• Simultaneous or incomplete contractions.

Based on this data, the doctor can define the best treatment plan: dietary changes, medication, swallowing physiotherapy or even surgical referral.

Once the test has been carried out, schedule your appointment with the requesting doctor to interpret the results. Instituto Medicina em Foco provides clear and precise reports to make this process easier.

What is the importance of esophageal manometry in diagnosis?

Esophageal manometry is not just another test on the list of medical investigations – it is a key element in elucidating symptoms that often remain undiagnosed for long periods.

Many patients live with discomfort such as chest pain, constant burning or even difficulty swallowing and undergo a series of tests without success.

In these cases, manometry stands out for its ability to precisely measure the strength and coordination of muscle contractions in the esophagus.
This test is essential for:

• Diagnosing achalasia, a rare condition in which the esophagus loses its ability to push food into the stomach.
• Evaluate cases of diffuse esophageal spasms, which cause chest pain that is often mistaken for heart problems.
• Identify esophageal muscle weakness, which is responsible for choking or the sensation of food stuck in the throat.

In addition, it is common for esophageal manometry to be requested before anti-reflux surgeries, such as fundoplication. This is because the results of the test help define the best surgical approach for each patient, increasing the chances of a successful procedure and reducing risks.

If you’ve already undergone several tests and still haven’t found the cause of your symptoms, talk to your doctor about esophageal manometry. It could be the decisive step towards effective treatment.

What diseases can esophageal manometry help diagnose?

The main role of esophageal manometry is to detect changes in the contraction and relaxation of the esophagus – valuable information for diagnosing a range of conditions.

Here are some of the main diseases that the test helps to identify:

• Acalasia

A rare disease in which the esophagus loses its ability to contract and the lower sphincter does not relax properly, preventing food from passing through.

• Diffuse esophageal spasm

Characterized by uncoordinated and painful contractions of the esophagus, which can cause chest pain and difficulty swallowing.

• Scleroderma

An autoimmune disease that can affect the esophagus, weakening its muscles and impairing food transit.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Although the main diagnosis of GERD is made with pH monitoring, esophageal manometry is essential to assess the function of the lower esophageal sphincter and rule out other motor disorders.

• Nutcracker esophagus

It is characterized by very strong contractions of the esophagus, which cause chest pain and dysphagia.

In addition to these, the test can also be useful in neurological or muscular diseases that affect the digestive system.

If you have persistent symptoms and still don’t know the cause, esophageal manometry could be the test you need to close your diagnosis. Talk to us and book your appointment.

Esophageal manometry in children: is it possible?

Yes, esophageal manometry in children is possible, and in some cases it may be extremely necessary. Although the test is more common in adults, children with symptoms of dysphagia, severe reflux or suspected neuromuscular alterations may also benefit from investigation.

In pediatrics, the evaluation is done with smaller caliber probes and techniques adapted to the patient, respecting their age and tolerance.

Indications in pediatrics include:

• Severe and refractory gastroesophageal reflux.
• Frequent choking.
• Swallowing disorders.
• Preoperative assessment of congenital anomalies.
• Neuromuscular diseases.

The examination should be conducted by a team specialized in child care, ensuring comfort and safety during the procedure.

If your child has difficulty eating or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, talk to a pediatrician or children’s gastroenterologist about esophageal manometry. Here at Instituto Medicina em Foco, we offer the test with care and attention to children.

Who can request esophageal manometry?

The esophageal manometry test can be requested by a number of specialists, especially when there is a suspicion of a disturbance in the functioning of the esophagus. The most common doctors who recommend this type of test are:

• Gastroenterologists: when there are persistent digestive symptoms such as reflux, heartburn or choking.
• ENT specialists: especially in cases of recurrent entrapment and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
• Pulmonologists: when there is a suspicion of aspiration or chronic cough related to reflux.
• Digestive system surgeons: for preoperative assessment of anti-reflux surgeries, for example.
• General Practitioners or Geriatricians: in cases of patients with non-specific symptoms and weight loss without a defined cause.

It’s important to remember that esophageal manometry doesn’t replace other tests, but rather complements the investigation. For this reason, following medical advice is essential if the test is to be carried out at the right time.

If you have been referred for this test by a specialist, know that you are taking an important step towards an accurate diagnosis. Contact Instituto Medicina em Foco to make an appointment.

Difference between conventional and high-resolution esophageal manometry

With the advance of medical technology, high-resolution esophageal manometry has emerged, a more modern and detailed version of the traditional test. But what is the difference between these two modalities?

In the conventional version, the probe has a reduced number of sensors and the data is collected in a segmented way, requiring manual repositioning of the probe during the examination.

In the case of high-resolution, more numerous sensors are used, arranged at shorter intervals, allowing the entire length of the esophagus to be mapped simultaneously and in real time.

The advantages of high resolution include:

• More accurate results.
• Reduced examination time.
• Comfort for the patient, as the probe does not need to be repositioned several times.
• Easy data interpretation through colorful and dynamic graphs.

High-resolution esophageal manometry has become the gold standard in many medical centers and offers even more detailed information on esophageal motility disorders.

Contact Instituto Medicina em Foco to find out which version of the test is available. We offer all the security and technology you deserve.

When is esophageal manometry contraindicated?

Despite being considered a safe and minimally invasive test, there are some relative contraindications to esophageal manometry, which should be assessed individually by the doctor.

Among the main ones are:

• Significant nasal obstruction: this can make it difficult to pass the probe.
• Severe septal deviations or nasal polyps.
• Acute respiratory infections (e.g. sinusitis, rhinitis or severe flu on the day of the test).
• Cases of suspected or confirmed esophageal perforation.
• Patients with severe coagulation disorders, who may experience bleeding during the passage of the tube.

In some cases, the test can be postponed until the clinical condition improves, or adapted according to the medical team’s assessment. The good news is that even with these limitations, manometry remains an extremely safe test with very few associated risks.

Unsure if you can take the test? Make an appointment with our specialists and ask all your questions before booking your esophageal manometry.

Esophageal manometry and other complementary tests

Esophageal manometry is rarely requested in isolation. In many cases, it is performed in conjunction with other tests of the upper digestive tract for a more comprehensive analysis of esophageal function.

The tests that usually complement the investigation are:

• Upper digestive endoscopy: visually assesses the mucosa of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
• 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring: analyzes acidity in the esophagus and confirms the presence of gastroesophageal reflux.
• Esophageal impedanciometry: complements pH monitoring by identifying episodes of non-acid reflux.
• Barium esophagogram: a radiological examination that observes the transit of food and any anatomical changes.

The combination of manometry with these tests increases diagnostic accuracy, making it possible to identify both motor disorders and lesions or anatomical changes in the esophagus.

If your doctor has ordered esophageal manometry along with other tests, don’t worry. Our team is ready to organize all the procedures for you in a comfortable and agile manner.

Benefits of esophageal manometry for digestive health

Ignoring symptoms such as pain when swallowing, constant reflux or recurrent choking can damage your digestive health and compromise your quality of life. Esophageal manometry is an essential resource for interrupting this cycle of silent suffering.

The benefits of the test include:

• Early diagnosis of disorders such as achalasia and esophageal spasms.
• Precise indication for drug or surgical treatment.
• Reduction of failed attempts at ineffective therapies.
• Improved clinical response with personalized treatments.
• Safety in preoperative preparation.

With the correct diagnosis, many patients are able to resume their daily activities without pain, discomfort or dietary limitations. This is because esophageal manometry enables a focused, rapid and personalized approach, avoiding the excessive use of ineffective medication.

Your digestive health deserves attention. Schedule your manometry with someone who understands the subject and regain well-being in your daily life.

Esophageal manometry: where to do it?

The Instituto Medicina em Foco is an excellent option for those seeking quality services and trained professionals in gastroenterology and other specialties.

Our team is made up of specialists committed to humanized, efficient and evidence-based care.

We have modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art technology and the welcome needed to make every patient feel safe and supported during the esophageal manometry exam.

If you suffer from digestive symptoms and haven’t yet obtained a clear diagnosis, this could be the test that changes everything.

Schedule your appointment or exam right now via the Instituto Medicina em Foco website.

If you prefer, contact us by phone or WhatsApp: (11) 3289-3195.

Esophageal manometry in São Paulo: why choose Instituto Medicina em Foco?

Located in São Paulo, the Instituto Medicina em Foco is a reference in carrying out tests such as esophageal manometry, combining technology, specialized clinical staff and a welcoming service at every stage of the process.

Our differentials:

• Humanized care and a multidisciplinary team.
• High-tech devices and high-resolution manometry.
• Consultations with experienced gastroenterologists.
• Fast results and reliable reports.
• Easy to book online or by WhatsApp.

Our goal goes beyond diagnosing. We want every patient to feel safe, understood and well-informed about their condition.

We know that living with digestive symptoms has an impact on social life, appetite and even sleep. That’s why we offer a complete service to take excellent care of your health.

If you’re in São Paulo and are looking for a reliable place to have your esophageal manometry, contact us and schedule your evaluation. We are ready to assist you.

🏥 Address of Instituto Medicina em Foco: Rua Frei Caneca 1380, Consolação, São Paulo, CEP 01307-000.

🕗 Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 8am to 9pm.

📞 Phone: (11) 3289-3195

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